Scottish Housing Advisory Committee

HC Deb 22 February 1967 vol 741 c1702

16. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee was set up; how many subjects the Committee has investigated; and what aspect of housing is being investigated now.

Dr. Dickson Mahon

My right hon. Friend reconstituted the Committee in May, 1965. It has completed a report on "Scotland's Older Houses" and a study of local authorities' methods of allocating tenancies. It is examining the housing needs of industry, and the management of local authority houses. It proposes also to study the environmental aspects of local authority housing schemes.

Mr. Buchanan

In view of the tremendous interest shown in the work of this Committee, why was it allowed to lapse for a period?

Dr. Mahon

Our predecessors could answer that question. I am informed that the Committee was abolished in 1951 as an economy measure, but I suspect that it was not done for economy of costs but for economy of ideas.